Check it OUT!

Not sure if there is anyone still “out there” reading the posts on this page.

But if you are ” Hi” and this is for you.

By now it will not have escaped your notice (hopefully) that this week ( tomorrow in fact ) is the opening of PACE’s spectacular new theatre offering – as part of National Theatre Connections 2014 – the wonderful dark comic adventure that is :

HERITAGE by Dadydd James

And this will be the last chance you will get to see something very special for all sorts of good reasons.

National Theatre Connections is a Youth Theatre Festival that you could be part of in the future – especially if you are currently a younger member of PACE or in the early or mid stages of secondary school

This year’s Heritage cast vary in age – but maybe there was a reason we focused our play more round a group of ” younger ” youth.

The nature of the themes of “Heritage” meant I was looking for a certain delivery , a more “innocent” approach to things and this assembled cast gave that – more naturally – in the audition process.

Each NT Connection year the plays are different…

Last year was the science-fiction inspired ” Guffin”

And 2014 brings you a black comedy penned “sheepishly” as “Heritage”

As I said to one “Youth Theatre group” last weekend – I don’t expect you to necessarily know about ” The National Theatre ”

( something we maybe need to sort in PACE for the future as you really should know at least where it is especially of you like drama and theatre )

…but what we should expect is that you will gladly be part of a culture in PACE that supports other productions and the youth theatre members that perform in them.

This doesn’t really exist in PACE at the moment and something we want to change.

This “Culture of Supportiveness” is not a concept that current society holds very dear in general – but it is important for PACE as an institution that cares for young people, their welfare and their future.

Support breeds a better “Youth Theatre” and makes PACE less of a giant drama machine just churning out weekly groups . It makes it more of a family of performers, full of inspiring youthful pride

In this case Scottish Pride!

Because we are more accurately celebrating our “Scottish Heritage” with this play and on September 18th 2014 our small nation ( and some of you even) will vote on our country’s political future – a decision that could dramatically change your life forever.

I think this play will change some of your PACE lives forever – it has already changed this cast – measurably – they are willingly part of a new PACE Heritage that will build and build from new starts, fresh roots and more truthful drama foundations.

I know …I know …It is easy not to go to see shows. It is easy to just turn up for your group each week and easy “to put down” or ” mock” what you don’t understand.

But…

It is so much “bigger” of you to make the effort , so much “better” to have a goal to aim towards in PACE , and really brave of you to admit that there is much you can still learn by seeing the work of others on stage – to not be selfish , but supportive when it comes to PACE.

Nothing stays the same in PACE , we will always change and move things around to keep the mix fresh and focused. Standing still only brings complacency and that is the death knoll of good drama. So we avoid it always – we have to for your GOOD.

In the photo above I see the PACE face of the future – I see those who make the effort, who want to get better , who want to learn and I see a hundred more standing “invisibly” behind who think the same , following in giant NTC footsteps, connecting the drama dots for the brighter Scottish Youth future of PACE.

This production period ( January – March) as a way of identifying our Scottish “country” heritage , we have been wearing ” check shirts” throughout rehearsals.

These check shirts have become our new uniform.

Our “Northbridge ” outfit of choice.

Wouldn’t it be great if when on stage , this young cast could look out into the audience and see the “check shirts” of other PACE that share their passion wearing them too ?

Like wearing a yellow ribbon , or a white band, or a gold pin – of support for a good cause – wearing a check shirt to this production could symbolise ” Youthful PACE pride ”

A checked flag waving body that want to offer in some part a clothed show support!

The ones I spoke about who want to share this adventure and newfound Heritage next year and the next and the next…

Those that “leave” this year will maybe wear their “check shirts” in quite another way , because even when you leave you are still a part of PACE, the roots of this building stretch far and wide binding with stronger more emotional ties that never fade, not even over time

(For two of this year’s cast this is in many ways their “exit” So wear your shirt for them)

Tickets are going quickly – get yours soon and look out your ” check shirt ” ready to support the National Theatre Connections 2014 cause with pride